FAMILY LIFE

Donald Stanley Mills was born on 12^th September 1897, at Murwillumbah, son of Charles Job Mills & Elizabeth (Patterson) Mills. He was one of 7 children. His parents had been dairy farmers at Burringbar since 1916. His father is on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district. Donald’s brother Archibald also enlisted.

APPLICATION

He was single dairy hand, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 7^th June 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his brother, Archibald, of Burringbar.  His medical showed he was 18 years 8 months old, 5ft 8 inches tall (1.72m), weighed 155lbs (70kgs), with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes & dark brown hair. His eyesight was good. He was Church of England and had a large upright scar 2” above his left scalpella.  He was enlisted as a private into the 26^th Infantry Battalion – 16^th Reinforcements with service No 5909

26^TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 26th was originally raised in April 1915 during World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force and was assigned to the 7th Brigade. The legacy of the 26th Infantry Battalion is deeply rooted in its remarkable contributions during both World Wars. It is remembered for its bravery and resilience in key battles

ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service.

It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 21^st October 1916, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Boonah. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

ROLLESTONE TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Plymouth on 10 January 1917. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the training camp at Rollestone, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more. Training would take many months.

HOSPITALISATION INFLUENZA

During this time Donald was admitted to Fargo Hospital, Rollestone with influenza. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

ETAPLES REST CAMP

Donald rejoined his unit on 25^th April where they left for France. However, he was sent to the Etaples camp.  Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units.

TRENCH WARFARE

He was taken on strength on 2^nd May 1917 in France where the 26^th Battalion served in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium. The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF BULLECOURT MAY 1917

The battalion saw action in the second Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. Despite the failure of the first attack on 11 April 1917, a few weeks later General Gough once again tried to break the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt. On 3 May 1917 the 2nd Australian Division attacked with the British alongside. Although the brigade on the right faltered under deadly machine-gun fire, the 6th Brigade got into the enemy’s trenches and, despite heavy shellfire and counter attacks, bravely held on. The 1st Division relieved the 2nd, and soon the 5th Division took its turn. Finally, after more than a week, the Germans gave up these blood-soaked fields. Then the depleted Australian battalions were withdrawn to recover. The furious fighting, which in the end only advanced the line a kilometre or so, had been at the heavy cost of another 7,000 Australian casualties.

'The Second Bullecourt (battle) was, in some ways, the stoutest achievement of the Australian soldier in France'.

BATLE OF BROODSEINDE OCTOBER 1917

They were also engaged in the Battle of Broodseinde which was fought on 4 October 1917 near Ypres. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders, and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive.

HOSPITALISATION NOVEMBER INFLUENZA

On 20^th November he was admitted to hospital with influenza again and was transferred to England in December 1917. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward. He was given furlough from 21 January to 4 February and rejoined his unit on 9^th March 1918.

BATTLE OF AMIENS AUGUST 1918

The battalion would have been engaged in various actions in France including the German Spring Offensive beginning in March 1918 and continuing through to July, and the Battle of Amiens on 11^th August where Donald was shot in the nose but was fit for duty by 18^th August. The opening attack of what would be come to be called the Hundred Days Offensive, the Battle of Amiens sees one of the most successful advances of World War I, with Allied troops securing more than eight miles in the conflict’s first fog-covered day, later called "the black day of the German Army" by General Erich Ludendorff. Catching the Germans by surprise, the Allies attack with the help of 2,000 guns, 1,900 planes and 500 tanks, causing large-scale German casualties and a fatal blow to morale.

BATTLE OF MONT ST QUENTIN AUGUST- SEPTEMBER 1918

The end of August found German troops at their last stronghold at Mont St Quentin - overlooking the Somme River and the town of Péronne. Mont St Quentin stood out in the surrounding country, making it a perfect observation point and a vital strategic area to control. This area was key to the German defence of the Somme line.

It was a difficult position as it was an uphill fight for the troops, across very open ground where they were vulnerable to attack from the German-held heights above.

Rifle grenades and trench mortars were employed to outflank outpost positions. The battalions positioned to the right made a lot of noise to distract the Germans, while the centre and left battalions got a foothold on the hill and in Feuillaucourt.

By 7 am, the troops had gained the village of Mont St Quentin and the slope and summit of the hill, by working in small groups. However, the Germans quickly regrouped and launched a counter-attack, and the first day of September saw fierce fighting and heavy losses. Germans attacked and heavily shelled Péronne. Much of the fighting was hand-to-hand combat.

The outnumbered Australians were pushed back off the summit of Mont St Quentin, and lost Feuillaucourt. Relief battalions were sent, and with their reinforcement, all the areas were retaken by the Australians, but at the cost of 3,000 casualties. After heavy and exhausting fighting, the Australians established a stronghold on the area and forced the complete withdrawal of the Germans from Péronne. By the night of 3 September, the Australians held Péronne. They captured Flamicourt the next day, and advanced 2 miles to the east.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 2^ND SEPTEMBER 1918

However, on the 2^ND September he was wounded in action for a second time with gunshot wound to his right index finger. This happened in the aftermath of the Battle of Mont St Quentin, and he was admitted to Southern General Hospital, Birmingham on 8th September where his right index finger was amputated due to the wound.

GETTING HOME

Donald was given furlough on 16^th October till 30^th October then marched into the No 3 Command Depot Hurdcott which dealt with the soldiers deemed able to return to duty. The end of the war was in sight and on 11^th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait many months before they were headed back to Australia. Donald returned to Australia on the Ayrshire, disembarking on 22^nd September 1919 and was discharged on 8^th November 1919.

HOME LIFE

Donald returned to Burringbar and married Ellen Allard in 1925. He died in Murwillumbah on 8^th June 1969, aged 71 and is buried in the Murwillumbah General Cemetery, Church of England section

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Donald was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Burringbar War Memorial and the Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour. 

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